Three of the four defendants in the 2012 murder of Salt Spring, St James, resident Rodell Hall will face preliminary examination in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on March 31.

Clyde and Nesta Morlese, of Patty Hill in Hanover and Sheldon Russell, of Salt Spring, had their bails extended on Wednesday, while presiding magistrate Wilson Smith issued a bench warrant for co-defendant Damane Samuels who was not present.

The four were charged in connection with Hall's shooting death on February 4, 2012, after the taxi in which he was a passenger was reportedly ambushed by gunmen about 2:10 a.m. along the Salt Spring main road. The passengers were ordered out of the car and Hall attempted to escape, but was shot and later died.

Clerk of court Sheryl Robinson told Resident Magistrate Smith that none of the prosecution's witnesses were on hand to begin the preliminary examination.

difficulty with witness

"The investigating officer is not here. There was a murder this morning and he was called to that scene. The main witness in this matter is not here today, and we are having a little difficulty with that witness," said Robinson.

"This matter is getting older and older," said an annoyed Smith.

"Yes, Your Honour," Robinson conceded.

Attorney-at-law Adrian Dayes, who represents Russell, asked if the case could be set for March 31, as the defendants are to appear before the Western Regional Gun Court on that day on related charges.

"There is a corresponding matter in the Gun Court, so it would be convenient if we could have both matters on that day," said Dayes.

Smith subsequently set the case for March 31, and also ordered a bench warrant for Samuels and a subpoena for the absent witnesses.